Letter-marking machine



(No Model.) a ShetsSheet 1.

M. J. DOLPHIN.

LETTER MARKING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 31, 1891 (No Model.)

2 u e e h S b t e e h S E N F NU IA HM mm 0H DR A, m T T H L No. 449406. Pat ted Mar; 31, 1891 ATTORNEY 3 SheetsSheet 3.

(No Model.)

M. J. DOLPHIN. LETTER MARKING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 31,1891" lllllil mu-444m WITNESSES NITED STATES PATEN 1MATTHEWV J. DOLPHIN, OF BROOKLYN, NEl V YORK.

LETTER-MARKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 449,406, dated March31, 1891. Application filed September 14, 1889. Serial No. 323,947. (Nomodel) To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW J. DOLPHIN, of Brooklyn, in the county ofKings, in the State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Letter-Marking Machines, of which the following, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, andexact description.

My invention relates to an improved lettermarking machine, and has forits object the production of a simple and effective feeding device forfeeding the letters or other mailmatter to a marker and a separatingdevice for preventing the feeding to the marker of more than one letterat a time; and to this end it consists, essentially, in aletter-receptacle having a belt for feeding the letters, feeding-rollersfor grasping the letters and forcing them onward, separating-rollers forholding or forcing back all letters except the one engaged by thefeeding-rollers, and a yielding guide for preventing the crumpling ofthe forced-back letter and retaining the same in position to be readilygrasped by the feeding-roller when the same has fed onward the letterengaged therewith.

My invention furthermore consists in the detail construction andarrangement of the parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, andpointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like lettersindicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a top plan view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is anelevation of the parts illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged planview, partly in section, illustrating clearly the separating device, thetrip and, the marker. Fig. 4 is a back view of the devices as shown inFig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line m m, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 isa detached elevation of the yielding guide for the letters operated uponby the separating-roller. Figs. 7 and S are respectively plan andelevation of a detail part of my machine. Figs. 9 and 10 arerespectively plan and elevation of another dctail of my invention, andFig.11 is a detail in section of the shaft for the yieldingseparating-rollers.

The supporting-table of my machine is of suitable size, form, andconstruction, and I have here illustrated only such a portion thereof asis necessary to support the parts of my invention.

Mounted above the table A and supported by brackets B is the plate orbracket O, which forms a bearing for the actuating-shafts of the feedingand separating rollers.

The marker D for marking the letter may be of any desirable form, size,and construction, but is here illustrated as that shown and described inthe application of August Bertram, filed June 18, 1887, in which themarker D is normally at rest. The trip E is also of any suitableconstruction, but is here shown as the one described and illustrated inthe application of August Bertram aforesaid, and is operativelyconnected to the marking-roller to engage the same with thecontinuouslyrot-ating shaft d immediately when said trip is contacted bythe fed letter.

It will be readily understood that in order to obtain the desiredresults from a machine of this character it is absolutely necessary thatbut one letter shall be fed at a time to the trip, since if more thanone is fed but one of them will be marked. Accordingly I haveoperatively connected to the marker and the trip an improved feeding andseparating device for feeding the letters consecutively to said markerand trip and insuring the positive marking of each letter.

The letter-receptacle F, Fig. 1, may be of any desirable size and form,but is here shown as a space inclosed by side walls F and F. The wall Fextends to a loose frictionally-revolved roller G, and the wall F isformed with its extremity inclined toward the wall F", so that itclosely approximates the plane thereof. Beneath the feeding-receptacle Fis the moving belt F which is preferably arranged at an incline, so asto move the letters toward the extremity F of the side wall F. Adjacentto the roller G and in line therewith is alike roller G, which is drivenby another like roller G The roller Gr preferably iuterlaps with theroller G in order that their feeding-surfaces shall be therebyapproximated. Beneath theroller G I provide a like roller G which isalso beneath the roller G and further increases the feeding-surfaceoperating upon the letter.

Oppositely arranged with the feedingrollers G and G is the yieldingguide H, pivoted at h to a bracket E, upon which is mounted the trip E.The free extremity h of the guide H extends almost to the extremity F ofthe letter-receptacle.

Interposed between the extremity h of the guide II and the extremity Fof the feedingreceptacle F is the guide-plate I, mounted .upon an arm Bof one of the brackets. The guide I is preferably movable toward andaway from the adjacent feeding-roller in order to force the lettersagainst the same and insure their ready engagement and feeding by saidroller. The illustrated method of rendering the guide I movable is topivot one extremity thereof to the arm B, and thus give the otherextremity an oscillating movement. Bearing against the free extremity ofsaid guide is the bar or follower 1, against which bears a spring 1guided in a wayb in the arm B of the bracket B.

Oppositely arranged with the rollers G and G are the separating-rollersG and G which project through slots or cut-outs H provided in the guideH. At the point where the rollers G and G project therethrough the guideH is formed of a curvature substantially like that of said rollers, andextending on either side of said curved portion is the flat guideportion against which the letters bear when being fed to the marker D.

The shaft 9 of the feed-roller G is provided with a wheel g, connectedby a belt 9 to a wheel 9 mounted upon the shaft g of theseparating-rollers. This belt 9 revolves the separating-rollers in anopposite direction to the direction of revolution of the feedingrollers.It will thus be seen that when more than one letter is being movedforward the separatingroller will engage the letter adjacent thereto andwill hold or face the same backward, allowing the feeding-roller to moveonward the letter adjacent thereto and pre venting the onward movementof the letter adjacent to the separating-roller.

It will be noticed that in order to prevent the friction of the letterheld back by the separating-rollers from stopping the onward movement ofthe letter engaged by the feeding-rollers the separating actuating wheelor roller 9 is of greater diameter than the Wheel or roller g upon theshaft of the feedingroller.

When a letter or card is held back by the separating-rollers, there is atendency of said letter or card to become bent or crumpled, especiallyif the same has but little stiffness. This is further brought about bythe high rate of speed at which the parts of this machine preferablyoperate. However, by means of the guide 11, especially therearwardly-extending portion, this bending or crumpling of the lettersis absolutely prevented, since the same are forced against said guide bythe unfed letters, and the smooth surface of said guide allows theletter to be held back, as described. Moreover, the small amount'of theseparating-roller which is allowed to project beyond the guide Hprevents the letter being drawn around the said separating-roller.

In order toallow of the separating-rollers to yield and accommodatethemselves to the passing letter, I divide the shaft g and mount thelower portion g thereof in yielding boxes or bearings M. These boxes areguided in the arms B of one of the brackets B, and a spring N constantlyforces said rollers toward the feeding-rollers.

The upper part 1 of the shaft 9 is fixed and is provided with auniversal joint connecting the same to the lower part of said shaft.This joint may be of any desirable form or construction, but is hereshown as a portion g of said shaft provided with the enlargements 0 andO, secured at the separate extremities thereof. These enlargements O andO are formed with oppositely-arranged pins having pivot-points 0 bearingin pivot-seats formed in a bar or plate 0 pivoted at 0 respectively, tothe stationary portion g and yielding portion g of the shaft g WVhen theyielding portion 9 of the shaft g is forced backward, the enlargements Oand 0 swing upon their pivot-points and vary the altitude of theconnecting portion 9 of said shaft, thus preventing cramping of theseparating-rollers.

The wheel g, secured upon the shaft 9 is loose thereupon. Mounted abovethis roller is a washer g of leather or other suitable material. Bearingthereupon is the spring 9 above which is the nut g and lock-nut g, whichforces the spring g against said washer g with greater or less force.When a letter of considerable thickness forces backward theseparating-rollers, considerable pressure is brought thereagainst, andconsequently the excessive pressure causes the wheel g to slip aroundits actuating-shaft, and the separating-rollers are not operated and donot tend to force backward said extrathick letter. This does not preventthe working of said separating-rollers, since the rotation thereof isonly stopped during the passage of said thick letter.

The free extremity of the guide H is adjustably secured to the lowerpart of the shaft g by means of suitable connections P and P. Theconnection P is loosely mounted upon the said shaft and is provided withthe forwardly-projecting arm 19 and the laterally-extending arm 1. Theconnection P is secured by a screw 19 to the guide H and is providedwith the rearwardly-projecting arm p and the laterally-extending arm 19A screw 19 draws the arm 19 toward the arm 19, thus approximating theseconnections P and P the desired distance. After the operation of thescrew 19 a screw 19 which is secured to the projection 19 of theconnection P and works in a slot 19 of the projection 19 of theconnection P, is then tightened, securely retaining these partsP and Pin their adjusted position. By means of the connections P and P theseparating-rollers are caused to project any desired distance beyond theworking-face of the guide H, thus governing to any desired amount theforce with which the separatingrollers shall act and rendering theoperation of these parts perfect by reason of their adjustability.

In order to tension the guide H, I provide the bar R, preferably formedwith a point R bearing against said guide and having its oppositeextremity guided in a movable bar or rod b, secured in one of thebrackets B. The extremity of said rod S, which passes through thebracket B, is provided with screw-threads, and by means of a screw-slotsis forced to the desired position in said bracket, whereupon a lock-nutT retains the same in its adjustable position.

Formed upon the rod S is a shoulder S, between which shoulder and ashoulder R provided upon the rod R, I interposethe spring U, whichconstantly forces said guide H to its normal position adjacent to thefeeding-rollers. This adjustability of the force with which the spring Roperates the guide is a feature of great advantage, since the same maybe varied as desired.

In order to prevent the displacement of the forward extremity of theletter after its passage beyond the feeding'roller G I provide the guideK, which forces said letter toward the guide II and by holding itsforward edge against said guide H causes the letter to operate the tripwith greater force than would otherwise be possible. This guide K ispreferably yielding, which result is obtained by forming the same ofspring metal, and also mounting the same upon the spring L, secured uponany suitable support rising from the frame A.

The operation of my invention will be readily perceived from theforegoing, and it will be understood that considerable change may bemade in the relative construction and arrangement of the parts withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention. Hence I do not limit myselfto its precise form and constructiou.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of a feeding-roller for feeding the letters, ayielding or .moving guide movable toward said feeding-roller for forcingthe letters against the same, and a separating-roller back of saidyielding guide, with a portion of its face projecting beyond said guideand arranged adjacent to the feeding-roller for preventing the feedingof more than one letter at a time, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of a feeding-roller, a yielding guide having acut-out, and a separating-roller projecting through said cut-out andarranged opposite to the feeding-roller, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a feeding-roller, a

are fed to the feeding-roller, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

5. The combination of a feeding-roller, a

yielding guide, a yieldingly-mounted separating-roller arrangedoppositely to the feeding-roller, and a connection from the yieldingguide to the said yielding separating roller, substantially as setforth.

6. The combination of a feeding-roller, a yielding guide, ayieldingly-mounted separating-roller oppositely arranged to thefeeding-roller, and an adjustable connection between the yielding guideand said yielding separating-roller, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

7. The combination of adjacently-mounted rollers having their contiguousfaces revolving in opposite directions and a yielding guide interposedbetween said rollers, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. The combination of a feeding-roller, a separating roller adjacent tothe feedingroller, said rollers having their contiguous faces revolvingin opposite directions, a yield ing guide arranged opposite to thefeedingroller, and a device for adjusting said. guide toward thefeeding-roller, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination of a feeding-roller, a guide opposite to thefeeding-roller and pro vided with a cut-out, a separating-rollerprojecting through said cut-out beyond the yielding guide, and anadjusting device for governing the amount of projection of theseparating-roller beyond the said yielding guide, substantially as andfor the purpose described.

10. The combination of interlapping feedin g-rollers, a yieldingseparator-roller, and an oscillating guide for preventing the crumplingof the restrained letters, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

11. The combination of feeding-rollers, a separating-roller, anoscillating guide for the letters, a spring for adjusting theseparatingroller, and a regulating device for varying the tension of thespring, substantially as described.

12. The combination of a feeding-roller, a yielding guide movable towardsaid feedingroller for forcing the letters against the same, and asecond yielding guide for forcing the letter toward the former guide,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. The combination of a letter-receptacle having a discharge-opening, abelt for feeding the letters toward said dischargeopening,feeding-rollers for feeding the letter, a separating-roller adjacent tothe feed-roller for preventing the feeding of more than one letter at atime, and a guide for preventing the crnmpling of the letters restrainedby the separating-roller, substantially as specified.

14. The combination of a feeding-roller for feeding the letters, ayielding guide oppositely arranged to said feeding-roller and movabletoward the same, cut-outs in the upper and lower portion of said guide,and sepa -rating-rollers back of said guide, with a portion of theirface projecting through said cutouts for preventing the feeding of morethan one letter at a time, substantially as dc-' scribed.

15. The combination of a feeding-roller for feeding the letters, ayielding guide oppo sitely arranged to said feeding-roller and movabletoward the same, cut-outs in the upper and lower portion of said guide,separatingrollers back of said guide, with a portion of their faceprojecting through said cut-outs for preventing the feeding of more thanone letter at a time, and an adjusting device for governing the amountof projection of the separating-rollers beyond the said yielding guide,substantially as specified.

16. The combination, with a pair of feedingrollers, of a pair of movableguides oppositely arranged to the respective feedingrollers and movabletoward the same, and a separating-roller back of one of said guides andhaving a portion of its periphery projecting beyond the same andadjacent to one of the feeding-rollers, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

17. The combination of a letter-receptacle having a discharge-opening, abelt for feeding the letters toward said discharge-opening,feedingrollers for feeding the letter, a yielding guide I, oppositelyarranged to one of said rollers, a separating-roller adjacent to theother of said rollers, and a yielding guide interposed between saidseparatingroller and latter feeding-roller, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence oftwo attesting witnesses, at the city of New York,in the county of NewYork in the State of New York, this 29th day of August, 1889.

MAT .IIEVV J. DOLPHIN.

Witnesses:

AUGUST BERTRAM, HARRY WOLFE.

